January 07, (THEWILL) – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over what he describes as Nigeria’s drift towards authoritarianism, following recent attacks on Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Atiku criticised remarks by the All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who accused Obi of “crossing the line.”
The remarks have been met with widespread condemnation, with Obi alleging threats to his life.
Atiku pointed to other instances of repression, including the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a critic of the current administration, as evidence of an increasingly hostile environment for opposition voices.
“In a democracy, opposition is not an enemy; it is a partner in progress,” Atiku stated, warning that the APC’s rhetoric undermines the country’s democratic foundations.
He demanded clarification from the ruling party, calling its language reckless and contradictory to democratic ideals.
“What does the APC mean by saying Obi has crossed the line? In a healthy democracy, there are no lines to cross when engaging in lawful criticism of government policies,” Atiku said, urging the APC to apologise publicly for its statements.
The former vice president described the APC’s actions as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and weaken Nigeria’s democratic gains since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
“If there is anyone who has crossed the line, it is the APC government, which appears intent on silencing opposition voices rather than addressing their concerns,” he said.
Atiku also called on Nigerians to resist the erosion of democratic freedoms, stressing that dissent is not disloyalty.
“This administration must understand that national unity and progress can only be achieved by embracing constructive criticism, not stifling it,” he concluded.
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